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Motor oil increases arthritis risk

Working with mineral oil such as motor oil could increase the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to new research.

A study conducted by the Karolinska Hospital in Sweden found that mineral oil exposure raised the risk of developing the arthritis by 30 per cent in men.

Published in the journal Arthritis Research and Therapy, the study initially looked at 1,419 people with arthritis and 1,674 control subjects.

However, the researchers found only men were exposed to motor oil, and therefore focused on a smaller group of 135 exposed men with RA and 132 controls.

Lead researcher Berit Sverdrup told the Daily Mail: "According to the results of this study, males exposed to various mineral oils in their profession appear to have an increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis."

Exposure to mineral oils was linked to those with rheumatoid-factor-positive rheumatoid arthritis.

The study now raises concerns about the health risks associated with occupational exposure to mineral oils.

Mineral oils can be found in motor oil, hydraulic oil, cutting oil, form oil and asphalt.

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